The Truth about Botox – Cosmetic Injections

So, what is Botox? – Botox comes from the word “Botulinum Toxin”, a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. It is also feared as a potential bioterror weapon.

Injectable Cosmetic Treatments are on the increase – everyone wants to look beautiful and stay young but a lot of women are being left disfigured in the process.

Cosmetic Injections are used to:

Smooth out wrinkles.

Plump up the lips.

Removing dark eye patches.

Some of the Risks involved:

Drooping eyelids.

Allergic reactions.

Paralysis.

Lopsided lips or face.

blistered and infected facial sores.

Difficulty talking, eating and drinking.

There are many unlicensed practitioners carrying out this procedure. Many have had just half a day’s training. In the UK, it is illegal to sell them without a prescription. However, foreign websites can dodge the ban and vials of facial filler drugs complete with syringes can be shipped conveniently to people who want to carry out DIY Botox. (Do it yourself)

If you still want to go ahead to have this treatment, then please, it is important that you consider the following:

Precautions

Check the Practitioners are suitably qualified.

Check that they carry out the procedures on a regular basis.

Carry out some more research – e.g what are the success rates? Are you allergic to any of the ingredients in the injection? What step do you take if yours goes wrong?

Do not administer the (over the counter) injection to yourself as it could lead to paralysis if inserted into the wrong place.

Good Luck!!

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Comments 33 comments

I could never understand people doing these things. Botox is a poison and must e getting into you blood. Thank you for raising this topic and awareness of the danger. Well done.

Mentalist acer 6 years ago from A Voice in your Mind!

I call them dead-heads,but it sounds like this is getting out of controll;)

Allan Douglas 6 years ago from Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

I guess I'm just an old stick-in-the-mud, but it seems to me that once these people are through with the botox injections they might as well snort a little antrax dust.

I understand that this is supposed to be a safe alternative to cosmetic surgery, but somehow I just can't see the "safe" part of it.

People do seem to get carried away with trying to look 25 forever. I just don't get that. I guess I'm just old fashioned. Thanks for another interesting (and scary) hub.

Mike Lickteig 6 years ago from Lawrence KS USA

I have always found people of all ages to be beautiful, and never saw the need for anyone to resort to such lengths to remain youthful looking. Sure, I would rather my own eyes looked less tired and puffy, but I accept it as a product of my age. In many ways I feel for actors and actresses in Hollywood who feel they must look ageless to remain a hot commodity--it is indeed a shame. The photos you have on this page certainly demonstrate the risks involved, and one would hope that everyone could see how good they do look, relative to what could happen with a botched medical procedure.

Thank you for this necessary but scary look at what we do to look young.....

Mike

anglnwu 6 years ago

Your pictures are enough to scare anyone. I agree Botox should only be administered by trained medical professionals. It's unimagineable the price some will pay for improper use. Thanks for pointing this out.

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

@ Hi Hello Hello, I didn't even know it was a poison/Toxin until I researched it. I though it was just a Posh name. Thanks for dropping by.

@ Mentalist Acer - I agree it's getting out of control because even people in their 30s who are not aged are going for it. Thanks for stopping.

@ Allan - Thanks Allan for those interesting comments. I've seen a lot of people in their 50s, 60s age so gracefully and infact the wrinkles don't look bad. I call them "laughing lines". As you noted, people are gettng carried away with looking 25 forever. Good to see you.

@ Mike - I hope people who are considering this read your comments. The Blotched medical procedure tends to take years to correct, if at all it can be. I'm glad you stopped by to share that. Regards.

@ anglnwu - Thanks for your comments. It's scary that some people are injecting themselves. Nice to see you.

dawnM 6 years ago from THOUSAND OAKS

Yes if done go to a plastic surgon, but the latest study that I heard is that it can dull the emotions if done for to many years....interestng article, great job!

FGual 6 years ago from USA

Hello LadyE Comparing your lists of benefits and dangers, one is longer than the other. That does it for me.

There are many natural ways to stay looking great at any age without side effects that can damage your health. Your health should always be our top concern.

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

@ dawnM - thanks for that info dawn. The fact that it shouldn't be done for so many years means people shouldn't even have it in their 30s. They'll get addicted early. Thanks for stopping.

@ Fgual - There are indeed many ways to stay looking young and without Botox, people can age nice and gracefully. Nice to see you again.

jdove-miller 6 years ago

The pictures you posted say it all!

always exploring 6 years ago from Southern Illinois

Oh my goodness!! This is not something i would ever ever

consider. I think of Joan Rivers, she can hardly smile.

Very good info. well done.

Cheers

lorlie6 6 years ago from Bishop, Ca

Elena, this is really disturbing. I understand that people want to regain their youth, but at what price? I recognize the woman in your photo-isn't that the person who wants to look like a cat? All that pain...I just don't understand.

Perhaps I'm somewhat complacent, but I'm very happy to grow old, I enjoy seeing the gray hairs, and, yes, even the wrinkles!

Thanks for a great hub.

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

** Thanks for stopping J Dove-Miller. Best Wishes.

** Hi Always Exploring - I like Joan Rivers a lot. She's has a lovely, funny personality and would have aged so gracefully. Nice to see you again.

** I love your attitude Lorlie. I wish others could share it too. Thanks and have a good weekend. Hope you are enjoying doting over Quinn.

amorea13 6 years ago

Botulinus!!! I didn't know that! It is amazing what people are prepared to put in their bodies in the quest for beauty or a younger look.

Mind you - I don't do THAT but I do want to look younger so I guess I'm not really much different Lady E! You know of any cheap, highly effective hair-restorers on the market? Preferably without any botulinus in them!

Cari Jean 6 years ago from Bismarck, ND

My nearly 7-year old daughter receives botox as a means to help with her muscles due to her cerebral palsy. I'm always a little leary because of what's being injected into her but I also know it helps her immensely. I would never us the botox for cosmetic use for myself.

DeBorrah K. Ogans 6 years ago

Lady E, Very informative hub on Botox injections!It appears the seemingly easy procedure can have terrible lasting side effects. I think we should strive to look our best at whatever age we are... This really encourages one to grow older gracefully without botox of course!

Thank you for sharing, In HIS Love, Peace & Blessings!

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

@ amorea13 - I enjoyed reading your comments and I assure you, there is nothing to worry about. You don't look a day over 21. :) Thanks for stopping. Hope you've had a relaxing weekend.

@ Cari Jean - Hi Cari, thanks for sharing this. I did read somewhere that it was used for other Treatments. I'm glad its of benefit to your daughter and I'm sure you are monitoring her usage of it closely. Nice of you to share that. Best Wishes.

@ DeBorrah - thanks. As you noted, we should strive to look our best at whatever age we are. I have to admit though, Asians, Africans and African Americans tend to always look younger than their age. (Permit me to to write, you don't look like you have Grand children. It must be that smile that keeps you looking lovely)

On a serious note, I'm sure you must have noticed this... oh and Italians. Thanks for stopping. :)

Philipo 6 years ago from Nigeria

Women, women, women. You won't stop to amaze me. Just hearing this for the first time. Thanks.

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

Lol Philipo.

Nice to read from you. Hope all is well. :)

ladyt11 6 years ago

This is very interesting and informative. I hope women read this hub if they are considering botox injections. It's scary, the things people will subject their body to all in the name of not looking older!! I feel like we should just grow older gracefully and thank the lord that we are alive!

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

Totally agree too, Ladyt11

We should grow old gracefully, naturally and indeed be grateful. Glad you stopped by. :)

katiem2 6 years ago from I'm outta here

WOW thanks for the honest reality check on the truth about botox cosmetic injections. The media glamorizes it so much. This is scary and just doesn't make sense. Thanks for the heads up on botox. Peace :)

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

Thanks Katie - I like the way you put it "media glamorizing". I thought it was a Posh name. Something really special until I found out that the "Tox" in Botox stood for Toxin. Thanks for stopping. Wishing you a good w/end. :)

xixi12 6 years ago from Everywhere but here. In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. You can never be truly free till you have the discipline to manage it.

I believe in growing old gracefully. I do not understand why people are afraid of growing old. The sad thing is that it only works on the face, what happens to the body? Young face, old body - why would anyone want that? Thanks for bringing this to our knowledge

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

Brilliant point raised, xixi12 - indeed, what happens to the body?Growing old gracefully are my thoughts too.

Best Wishes.

Allan Douglas 6 years ago from Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

I just found this in my Tweet box, thought you'd like it:

"Allergan, which manufactures the cosmetic medication Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a federal investigation into its marketing of the botulin-based drug."

Lady_E 6 years ago from London, UK Author

Very interesting Allan. Thanks for passing that on. Wow, that's a lot of dosh...

Support Med. 6 years ago from Michigan

Believe it or not, I have thought about it, but the 'dangers' are too scary. A well known model/talk-host had guests on her show who went to those who were not exeprienced enough and who also did 'DIY' botox and the consequences were devestating. There has to be more natural ways to achieve certain results. Excellent hub!! Voted/rated.

Lady_E 5 years ago from London, UK Author

Hi Support Med.

I'm glad you didn't do it. There are many creams out there that could do a better job. (they might be a bit expensive, but worth it.

Best Wishes. :)

LJ 5 years ago

So glad to see someone post something anti botox. I am a 27 year old healthy attractive and very fit female. When some of my girlfriends started getting botox I decided to try it once to prevent wrinkles from forming in my forehead. For 3 months one of my eyes looked so much smaller it was awful. Not to mention I experienced eyelid droop and looked tired old and angry. Thank goodness the toxin wears off! I googled side effects and funny how everyone says that eyelid droop is an extremely rare side effect: it isn't. Worse yet is that ever since the Botox I experience the most horrific stabbing headaches during sex. Not to be graphic, sex headaches can occur in many people just before orgasm but it's 5 times more likely in men and women who experience this are usually over 40 or take birth control pills. Not only did I lose my looks and self esteem overnight (fortunately it was only a few months) but my sex life is still severely affected. I find it utterly bizarre that when I talk to people in person I realize more women suffer from the headaches and eyelid droop but just try googling it. Botox has done an excellent job at covering up the truth. Oh and I'm a nurse getting my masters degree ha ha.

Lady_E 5 years ago from London, UK Author

Aaaawh LJ - sorry you had to go through all that. I bet you probably didn't really want to, but just did because of your friends. I can understand if people have it done once, but apparently it needs to be topped up. So, it's more foreign stuff (poison) in the body.

Hope you recover fully and good luck with the Masters Degree.

Glad you stopped by. :)

Elaine Schmidt 4 years ago

i have been doing and receiving Botox for a few years now and have not gone to extremes with myself or my clients,.. and I don't get what all the negitive fuss is about. This seems to be a very one sided view,..

All things in moderation and with education is a direction we should strive for in all areas of out lives,.. beauty included.

Lady_E 4 years ago from London, UK Author

Thanks Elaine

...but it's just a matter of time. Look at your face again in 10 years time and let me know if you still feel the same way.

We had the same issue with PIP Breast implants "What is all the fuss about?" is what many said. Now Look.... Dare I say it was worth fussing all about?